Saturday we took a trip to Dageu. Dageu is known to the foreigner’s as the home of Costco, TGI Fridays, Outback, & McDonalds. I never thought I would be so happy to see beef jerky, frozen waffles, ring pops, & cheese sticks but oh my gosh it was fab-tab-ulous! Walking in to Costco and seeing a box of Oreos, Cheese Nips, & Ritz peanut butter crackers brought tears to my eyes. At last, junk food in it’s finest. It is strange to me that these things would make my mouth water but back in the states I hardly ever ate this stuff. Maybe because it was always around? We also found the McDonalds thanks to the GPS. My friends, the Big Mac & fries were incredible. Normally, I would never think of eating this calorie laden meal but one should have a free pass now and then. I am thankful that Dageu is 3 hours away or I may start sneaking out at night for a bugger fix. My taste buds now savor these things as if I’m eating a piece of Godiva chocolate complete with the moans and groans of ecstasy. I wonder what the neighbors think?

I read about the investigation of expat teachers on Joshua’s blog. Apparently a few expats got together and created a small performing group. During this comedy performance they poked fun of some Korean customs. They may now face deportation. The article goes on to say that we as expats are here to perform only the duty so described by our Visas. I am over here on a dependent Visa meaning that my soul purpose is to “visit”. Mind your p’s & q’s my fellow expats. Make sure if you are doing something so horrible as volunteering at an orphanage or gathering for extracurricular activities that you register with the ministry.

Wednesday was the steal cutting ceremony for HL’s company. This doesn’t mean a whole lot to me but what it does mean is that we are closer to moving home. Everyone from his company went out to dinner to one of the elite Korean restaurants. This was my first traditional Korean meal. The restaurant catered more to the Westerners therefore we got to keep our shoes on and sit in a chair instead of the floor. For this I was very thankful. The biggest obstacle was to learn how to use chopsticks and learn quickly (or starve). The food was different but quiet good. Our meal consisted of Bulgogi (aka Korean BBQ) as the main dish and many, many side dishes. At a Bulgogi restaurant you do not order off of a menu. You sit down to a table covered with little tiny bowls full of Korean favorites. The meat is cooked on an open grill in the center of the table. Some of the side dishes were Kimchi, raw garlic, lettuce, raw oysters, octopus, & ssamjang (Korean chili paste for dipping). I tried a few things but nothing raw. I am terribly afraid of food poisoning. HL tried everything. I swear he will eat anything that does not eat him first. The Bulgogi was good. The little bit size pieces of beef were tender with a hint of spice from black pepper. I will definitely eat this again. The best thing about a Korean BBQ meal is the atmosphere. Everyone shares the same bowls and grill. It reminded me of Thanksgiving dinner with our family. It’s common practice to “reach over” and grab a bite here and there. No one worries about “germs” especially since Soju is consumed during the meal.

Yesterday I was invited to join the weekly coffee social that takes place here. This morning we got dressed and walked down to the coffee house. I have never felt like such an outsider as I did this morning. We walked in an no one spoke to us. I tried several times to say hello to some of the ladies to no avail. It was very clear to me that I was not welcome. Groups of women were scattered about the room forming their own little circles. It was obvious to a newbie, like me, that cliques had been formed and I was an outcast. I’m not one to say in a place where I feel unwelcome. I gathered up our things and took Makinlee to the playground. While there a group of Korean children arrived to play as well. As I watched my child try to communicate with these children sadness came over me. Sad because she too felt like an outsider. Even though the language of play is the same everywhere I could tell she was confused when they spoke back to her. One little girl kept pulling at Makinlee’s hair and another little boy kept yelling in her face. Were they playing? I have no idea but I was not comfortable with it. I think yelling in someone’s face is rude anywhere. Our first day out into the community didn’t go well. I’m very sad and disappointed. I had preconceived ideas that the expat community was friendlier. I am not giving up but it sure makes it hard to press on and find some friends. Hopefully when Makinlee starts play school next week I will meet some cool moms. Today has me second guessing our decision to move here. I hope things become easier if not it’s going to be a long four years.